Bringing Life on a School Trip to Normandy

Bringing Life on a School Trip to Normandy

Every dedicated teacher continues to look for ways to encourage the imagination of young learners. Organizing a school trip to bring a dusty page of history to life is (or should be) at the top of the list. No subject benefited more than the opportunity to visit sites where past monumental events had occurred, and no subject offered so many choices when planning school trips.
Exploring the Normandy Heritage Bringing Life on a School Trip to Normandy

The Normandy region of France is a logical choice for school trips, with several sites related to medieval studies to the bloody battles of World War II. From the foundation level to the GCSE level, students can benefit from various programs in museums and monuments, many of which can be tailored specifically to curriculum requirements.

History of the Middle Ages

For students studying the Norman Conquest, the trip to Normandy led them to where it all began. Visiting the Bayeux rugs introduced them to early medieval art; these preserved magnificent artifacts are one of the most valuable historical sources available to teach the period to the students. As a complete and compelling visual narrative of the events surrounding the Norman Conquest, this serves as a real learning aid to inspire deeper appreciation of the era, both for the primary and secondary groups. Bringing Life on a School Trip to Normandy

Falaise Castle is another very important site for those who focus on the Middle Ages. The birthplace of William the Conqueror is a great example of medieval architecture, and visiting the site allows students to give knowledge of this important sovereignty, the first Norman King of England, into the historical context.

Modern history

For young people who study the events of World War II, Normandy is an active learning center, with many sites and monuments related to combat performed on French soil. No amount of textbook reading can come close to a deep experience of visiting beaches and battlefields where these events took place and so many youths lost their lives.

The WWII site in the region serves as a serious war heritage and provides an excellent source of education, not just for historical subjects, but also related to politics and social studies. The tour of the cemetery and the battlefield brings home the real reality of war and can not but leave an indelible imprint on young hearts and minds, while a museum with cutting-edge technology serves to bring the drama of the Normandy invasion into real life.

But more than simply providing an opportunity to elaborate facts and meet the curriculum requirements, visiting the WWII site in Normandy is an opportunity for an educator to give young people an insight into the gravity of war, its consequences and impact. Bringing Life on a School Trip to Normandy

Accessible Destinations

This beautiful part of France is capable of sparking a passion for history and learning in groups of various ages in curricular studies, making it the perfect destination for school trips. It’s also very practical in terms of budget and logistics, with the Channel Crossing from Folkestone ensuring a quick trip from the UK.

John Gardiner is Managing Director of The School Travel Company, a tour operator specializing in school trips for schools and youth groups to the UK, Europe and beyond. As a father and avid traveler, John is keen to provide students with a valuable and exciting learning experience outside the classroom. By sharing expert advice with teachers, he allows them to inspire their students and continue their studies into life. Bringing Life on a School Trip to Normandy